(Orange, CA) - Santiago Canyon College (SCC) in Orange has been named as one of the “Top 100 Associate Degree Producers” in the nation by Community College Week.  Since 1991, the “Top 100 Associate Degree Producers” list ranks two- and four-year for-profit and public community colleges around the United States that award the largest number of associate degrees and one- and two-year certificates.  The rankings are based on the degrees and certificates awarded in the 2012-2013 academic year.

“Santiago Canyon College is focused on providing completion pathways to students, and these results validate our efforts,” said SCC President John Weispfenning. Santiago Canyon College serves more than 14,000 credit and non-credit students each semester in the communities of Anaheim Hills, Orange, Tustin, and Villa Park.

RANKINGS

For the 2012-2013 academic year, SCC’s rankings for awarding associate degrees includes:

• 72nd in the nation for awarding the most associate degrees across all disciplines, or fields of study, to Asian American students, an increase of 66 percent from the previous academic year.
• 55th in the nation for awarding the most associate degrees across all disciplines to Hispanic students, an increase of 49 percent from the previous academic year.
• 39th in the country for awarding the most associate degrees in multi/interdisciplinary studies, an increase of 43 percent from the previous academic year.

In awarding two-year certificates, SCC ranked:

• 45th in the nation for awarding the most two-year certificates across all disciplines for all ethnic groups, a jump from last academic year’s ranking of 47th

Postsecondary institutions collect information on student race and ethnicity according to federal reporting protocols, and report degrees and other formal awards according to the disciplinary or vocational field of study completed by the student.

Even though SCC’s rankings demonstrated growth over the previous year, according to Community College Week (CCW), a national publication for community college educators, overall associate degree production in the 2012-2013 academic year declined slightly in the United States from the previous year.  As the economy recovers, many community colleges in the country have seen their degree production decline. Miami Dade College, the nation’s top associate degree producer among public colleges, saw a drop of 13 percent from the previous year.

The sagging numbers are part of a larger trend, according to Kevin Kinser, an associate professor of the State University of New York’s University at Albany. “With so much focus on student debt, people are being very cautious about enrolling in for-profit colleges,” says Kinser. “As a result, for-profit colleges are seeing a decrease in enrollment.” Also contributing to a decline in postsecondary institution enrollment is a slower growth of college-age population in recent years. Students pursuing these degrees and certificates during economic slowdown often include larger proportions of non-traditional-aged students. One majority, women, who have always represented the majority of recipients for these awards, has grown larger, according to Kinser.

About Santiago Canyon College 
Santiago Canyon College (SCC) serves more than 14,000 credit and non-credit students each semester. The college prepares students for transfer to four-year institutions and careers, and provides courses for personal and professional development, as well as customized training for business and industry. The college is recognized for its adult education program which keeps the working adult—and senior—in mind by offering flexible schedules, and community locations. Serving the residents of Anaheim Hills, Orange, Tustin, and Villa Park, SCC is one of two comprehensive colleges under the auspices of the Rancho Santiago Community College District. Visit http://www.sccollege.edu to learn more.to learn more.